A policy debate on abortion in Poland
A Civic Coalition member of parliament, Roman Giertych, shared his proposal to liberalize abortion law in an interview with gazeta.pl. He suggested that abortion assistance should not be prosecuted automatically, as it is now, but rather after the woman who underwent the procedure has been clearly notified. Giertych argued that decriminalizing abortion could create political instability within the governing coalition in the future.
In the same gazeta.pl interview, the lawmaker was asked about the recent vote on decriminalizing abortion. Giertych expressed doubt that any such reform would pass in the current Sejm, indicating that the project has no chance of approval at present.
The outcome of the vote was viewed as a setback because supporters had counted on it advancing. It became clear that the Sejm would not liberalize abortion law as the left intends. Fourteen MPs from the ruling party were absent during the vote, and the project still failed. The coalition comprises 190 MPs, with three Kukiz MPs also opposing the proposal. A bloc of 24 PSL MPs voted against, and 18 from the Confederation also opposed. In total, 235 MPs voted against, indicating that the bill could not pass in this Sejm. The defeat was not solely attributed to one member’s vote according to Giertych.
Giertych warned that pursuing this project to its anticipated finish, as claimed by the left, could eventually lead to the collapse of the ruling coalition. He urged for a compromise that would endure for the remainder of the term and warned that without such an agreement the coalition would sooner or later be torn apart. He stressed that there is no humor in the situation. He acknowledged the need for a middle ground and suggested that not every wrongdoing must be criminalized. He believed there were possible compromise solutions that could be accepted even by parliamentary conservatives like himself, balancing the concerns of the left and the coalition’s broader spectrum.
– he stated.
“A woman’s decision matters,” is the stance that underpins the proposed approach.
The Civic Coalition deputy proposed a specific mechanism to address the issue. He recalled a past compromise in which the non-punishment of women who underwent abortions was agreed upon. His plan calls for changes to the prosecution approach for abortions up to the twelfth week. He suggested that prosecution for acts involving complicity and incitement to abortion should be initiated only upon the woman’s request. Legally, this would shift the criminal process under Article 152 of the Criminal Code to a system where prosecution is pursued upon the woman’s application, rather than as a public action. The current environment has shown that the involvement of prosecutors in medical abortions, which has become common, is neither appropriate nor effective. Times change. He cited a historical ruling by Professor Andrzej Zoll that medical abortions were not widespread, and today such abortion methods are prevalent. Under this framework, the crime of abortion up to the twelfth week would be prosecuted only if the woman requests it. This approach would address potential cases of blackmail or threats from people in the woman’s immediate circle. The decision to pursue prosecution would ultimately rest with the woman herself, and in the absence of a request, the public prosecutor’s office could do nothing.
– he added.
Further commentary followed from related discussions: a statement about how some amendments to decriminalize abortion assistance were received, and reflections on the dynamics between party members who hold differing views on the issue. The discourse touched on respect for the process and the constitutional considerations involved in reform efforts. This debate remains a focal point in Poland’s political landscape as lawmakers continue to weigh the balance between criminal law and women’s autonomy.
Cited material is drawn from contemporary reporting and parliamentary coverage available in national media sources. Source notes are provided for context and attribution to the reporting outlets that documented these discussions and votes.